“Is there something his managers know that I don’t know” – Nevin surprised why Chelsea star didn’t play against Liverpool

Pat Nevin believes Enzo Maresca should have introduced Joao Felix against Liverpool because Chelsea needed creativity.

The Blues went to their second defeat of the season at Anfield on Sunday when they went down 2-1 to the league leaders.

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for Maresca’s men to take advantage of, including the return of Reece James, who said he had really missed playing in the big games.

The Blues showed how far they have come as a team in a short space of time and it was their best performance at Anfield in a number of years.

Felix has struggled with regular minutes in the Premier League this season. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Despite giving a good account of themselves, Chelsea will be disappointed not to have tested Caoimhin Kelleher more in Liverpool’s goal.

Maresca was not afraid to go to his bench and used all five allowed substitutes, with Pedro Neto being the most impressive, although Benoit Badiashile also put in a solid performance.

However, former Blue Nevin believes the Italian should have introduced Felix as the Blues lacked creativity.

“As someone who openly wants a Chelsea win but is always brutally honest enough to accept that we are in second place on the day, there was one player I wanted to introduce more than any other player, Joao Felix,” he told BBC Sport, as quoted by The Chelsea Chronicle. .

“Enzo Maresca made five changes when creation was needed and the Portuguese playmaker was not called upon.

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“Is there something his managers know that I don’t know because in terms of skills and creativity he clearly deserves more chances if Chelsea get a chance.”

Felix is ​​yet to start a Premier League game for the Blues this season, with the majority of his minutes coming in cup competitions, and his next chance to impress will likely be against Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday.